US6769761B2 - Inkjet printer having ink cartridge tape removal capability and method of assembling the printer - Google Patents
Inkjet printer having ink cartridge tape removal capability and method of assembling the printer Download PDFInfo
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- US6769761B2 US6769761B2 US10/233,194 US23319402A US6769761B2 US 6769761 B2 US6769761 B2 US 6769761B2 US 23319402 A US23319402 A US 23319402A US 6769761 B2 US6769761 B2 US 6769761B2
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- tape
- spool
- ink
- engaging
- cartridges
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/165—Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
- B41J2/16505—Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out
- B41J2/16508—Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out connected with the printer frame
Definitions
- This invention generally relates to apparatus and methods of protecting ink ejection orifices of inkjet printer cartridges with protective tape, and more particularly relates to an inkjet printer having ink cartridge tape removal capability and method of assembling the printer.
- An inkjet printer produces images on a recorder medium by ejecting ink drops onto the recorder medium in an image-wise fashion.
- the advantages of non-impact, low-noise, low energy use, and low cost operation, in addition to the ability of the printer to print on plain paper are largely responsible for the wide acceptance of inkjet printers in the marketplace.
- Inkjet printers comprise a print head including a plurality of ink cartridges, each ink cartridge having a plurality of ink ejection orifices. At every orifice a pressurization means is used to produce an ink drop.
- pressurization means either one of two types of pressurization means may be used. These two types of pressurization means are heat pressurization means and piezoelectric pressurization means.
- piezoelectric pressurization means a piezoelectric material is used. The piezoelectric material possesses piezoelectric properties such that an electric field is produced when a mechanical stress is applied. The converse also holds true; that is, an applied electric field will produce a mechanical stress in the material.
- a heater heats the ink and a quantity of the ink phase changes into a gaseous steam bubble.
- the steam bubble raises the internal ink pressure sufficiently for an ink drop to be expelled towards the recorder medium.
- Thermal inkjet printers are well-known and are discussed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,500,895 to Buck, et al.; 4,794,409 to Cowger, et al.; 4,771,295 to Baker, et al.; 5,278,584 to Keefe, et al.; and the Hewlett-Packard Journal, Vol. 39, No. 4 (August 1988), the disclosures of which are all hereby incorporated by reference.
- the print head itself may be a carriage mounted print head that reciprocates transversely with respect to the recorder medium (i.e., across the width of the recorder medium) as a controller connected to the print head selectively fires individual ones of the ink ejection orifices, in order to print a swath of information on the recorder medium.
- the printer advances the recorder medium the width of the swath and the print head prints another swath of information in the manner mentioned immediately hereinabove. This process is repeated until the desired image is printed on the recorder medium.
- the print head may be a page-width print head that is stationary and that has a length sufficient to print across the width of the recorder medium. In this case, the recorder medium is moved continually and normal to the stationary print head during the printing process.
- Inks useable with piezoelectric and thermal inkjet printers are specially formulated to provide suitable images on the recorder medium.
- Such inks typically include a colorant, such as a pigment or dye, and an aqueous liquid, such as water, and/or a low vapor pressure solvent.
- the ink is a liquid composition comprising a solvent or carrier liquid, dyes or pigments, humectants, organic solvents, detergents, thickeners, preservatives and other components.
- the inkjet printer includes an ink cartridge when the printer is shipped from the manufacturer.
- the printer includes the cartridge for the convenience of the end user of the printer. In this manner, the end user need not separately purchase the cartridge before beginning operation of the printer. Rather, the end user merely needs to retrieve the printer from a shipping container, connect the printer to a source of electrical power and to an image source, insert paper, install the ink cartridge in the printer and then begin using the printer.
- a removable adhesive tape is temporarily adhered to the ink cartridge so as to cover the ink ejection orifices and surface area surrounding the ink ejection orifices. Presence of the tape blocks ingress of air and also dirt, dust and other particulate matter into the ink ejection orifices and blocks deposit of the dirt, dust and other particulate matter on the cartridge surface surrounding the ink ejection orifices. Presence of the tape also blocks ink weeping, seeping and otherwise leaking out the ink ejection orifices.
- this tape is applied to the cartridge by the manufacturer of the printer, and before the printer is shipped to a wholesaler, retailer, or end user, as the case may be.
- the tape must be removed by the end user before first use of the printer, so that ink drops can eject from the cartridges disposed in the printer.
- Instructional materials disclosing method of removal of the tape are typically included with the printer when the printer is received by the end user. Thus, removal of the tape requires the end user of the printer to read and understand the instructional materials included with the printer.
- the Ahne et al. device comprises a printer cartridge having a protective tape to prevent ink leakage from the printer cartridge.
- the protective tape includes an electrically conductive metal strip. When the cartridge is present in the printer, the protective tape comes in contact with a printer carrier cable that serves as a printer-cartridge interface.
- the printer cable itself includes a sensor having a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact that are electrically shorted through the metal strip in the protective tape when the protective tape touches the contacts. This occurs because the metal strip in the protective tape bridges an electrical connection between the first and second contacts.
- a sensor circuit is associated with the sensor and is responsive to current flowing between the first and second contacts. The current occurs from the closed circuit created by presence of the metal strip of the protective tape. The sensor circuit detects the current and thus the presence of the protective tape on the cartridge.
- the sensor circuit includes an indicator responsive to the sensor circuit. The indicator provides a signal to the user of the printer through whatever printer display or controls are present. For example, the signal can be a visual signal as in an LCD display or can be an audible signal or other printer signal.
- the Ahne et al device informs the user of the presence of the protective tape, the user must still manually remove the protective tape before operating the printer. Manual removal of the protective tape represents an inconvenience to the user of the printer. Moreover, manufacturing cost of the printer, and thus price of the printer to the user, is substantially higher than it would otherwise be because the printer must now include a special protective tape with a metal strip, a sensor and sensor circuit, and a visual or audible indicator. Therefore, the device disclosed by the Ahne et al. patent does not satisfy the long-felt need to avoid requiring the end user to manually remove the protective tape from the ink cartridge when the printer, with included ink cartridge, are received by the end user.
- an inkjet printer having ink cartridge tape removal capability, comprising a slide bar; an ink cartridge slidably engaging the slide bar, the ink cartridge having an ink ejection orifice; and a take-up reel associated with the ink cartridge, the take-up reel having a tape extending therefrom and removably adhering to the ink ejection orifice, the tape peeling from the ink ejection orifice as the ink cartridge slidably engages the slide bar.
- an inkjet printer having ink cartridge tape removal capability comprises a frame to which is affixed an elongate generally cylindrical slide bar. Slidably engaging the slide bar is a carriage operable to translate along the slide bar by means of a belt and pulley assembly.
- the belt and pulley assembly is operated by a motor controlled by a controller.
- the carriage carries a plurality of adjacent ink cartridges.
- Each of the ink cartridges has a plurality of ink ejection orifices capable of ejecting an ink drop therefrom for marking a recorder medium.
- a take-up reel comprising a spool is rotatably connected to the frame. The spool has adhesive protective tape extending therefrom.
- the tape removably adheres to the ink cartridges for sealably covering the ink ejection orifices.
- the tape peels from the ink cartridges to uncover the ink ejection orifices as the carriage carrying the ink cartridges slidably translates the first time along the slide bar in a direction away from the take-up reel.
- a first embodiment actuator comprises a generally cylindrical shaft engaging the spool and a motor engaging the shaft for rotating the shaft.
- the spool rotates as the shaft rotates and the tape winds about the spool as the spool rotates.
- a second embodiment actuator comprises an axle engaging the spool and a pinion gear surrounding the axle.
- a rack which is connected to the carriage, has a plurality of gear teeth thereon for engaging the pinion gear.
- a third embodiment actuator comprises a spindle engaging the spool and a coiled spring connected to the spindle for rotating the spindle.
- the spool rotates as the spindle rotates.
- the protective tape winds about the spool as the spool is rotated by the spring.
- a fourth embodiment actuator comprises an elastomer having one end portion connected to the take-up reel and another end portion integrally connected to the protective tape.
- the elastomer pulls on the tape and preferably wraps the tape about the take-up reel after the tape peels from the ink cartridges.
- the fourth embodiment actuator preferably further includes an optical sensor in optical communication with a reflective portion of the tape for sensing when the tape has been removed from the cartridges.
- the act of sliding the carriage along the slide bar in a direction away from the take-up reel peels the adhesive tape from the ink cartridges in order to uncover the ink ejection orifices.
- the actuator operates the take-up reel to retract the protective tape and wrap the tape around the take-up reel. In this manner, the tape is not allowed to interfere with movement of the carriage during printing.
- a feature of the present invention is the provision of a take-up reel for winding-up the protective tape after the tape peels from the cartridges.
- Another feature of the present invention is the provision of an actuator engaging the take-up reel for actuating the take-up reel, so that the take-up reel winds-up the protective tape.
- An advantage of the present invention is that the protective tape is removed from the ink cartridges to expose the ink ejection orifices without manual intervention of the user prior to first use of the printer.
- FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of an inkjet printer, this view showing a carriage carrying a plurality of adjacent ink cartridges printing an image on a recorder medium after a take-up reel has retracted protection tape from ink ejection orifices belonging to each of the ink cartridges;
- FIG. 2 is a view in partial elevation of the plurality of adjacent ink cartridges sliding along a slide bar and ejecting an ink drop from one of the ink ejection orifices, this view also showing the protection tape having peeled from the ink cartridges after the carriage has slidably translated along the slide bar, this view further showing the take-up reel retracting the tape after the tape peels from the ink cartridge;
- FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of the inkjet printer comprising a frame to which the take-up reel is attached;
- FIG. 4 is a view in elevation of the carriage carrying the plurality of adjacent ink cartridges, the carriage slidably engaging the slide bar, this view also showing the take-up reel having adhesive tape extending therefrom;
- FIG. 5 is a view in partial elevation of the plurality of adjacent ink cartridges, this view also showing a thermal resistive heater element disposed adjacent one of the ejection orifices to eject the ink drop out the ink ejection orifice;
- FIG. 6 is a view in elevation of a first embodiment actuator affixed to the frame and engaging the take-up reel for actuating the take-up reel so that the take-up reel retracts the tape;
- FIG. 7 is a view in elevation of a second embodiment actuator before retracting the tape
- FIG. 8 is a view in elevation of the second embodiment actuator after retracting the tape
- FIG. 9 is a view taken along section line 9 — 9 of FIG. 8;
- FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the second embodiment actuator after retracting the tape
- FIG. 11 is a view in elevation of a third embodiment actuator
- FIG. 12 is a view in elevation of the third embodiment actuator taken along section line 12 — 12 of FIG. 11 :
- FIG. 13 is a view in elevation of a fourth embodiment actuator before the tape being peeled, the tape being arranged into a U-shaped configuration;
- FIG. 14 is a view in elevation of the fourth embodiment actuator as the tape is being peeled.
- FIG. 15 is a view in elevation of the fourth embodiment actuator after the tape is retracted.
- FIG. 1 there is shown a thermal inkjet printer, generally referred to as 10 , for printing an image 20 on a recorder medium 30 .
- Recorder medium 30 may be paper or transparency or other material suitable for receiving image 20 .
- An image input source (not shown), which may be a computer, scanner, facsimile machine, or an all-in-one combination of these devices, provides raster image data or other form of digital image data to printer 10 .
- the image input source generates an output signal that is received by a controller 40 , which is coupled to the image input source.
- the controller 40 processes the output signal received from the image input source and generates a controller output signal that is received by a thermal ink jet print head, generally referred to as 50 , electrically coupled to controller 40 .
- Print head 50 is electrically coupled to controller 40 , such as by means of an electrical cable 60 .
- Controller 40 controls operation of print head 50 to eject an ink drop 70 therefrom in response to the output signal received from the image input source.
- print head 50 comprises a carriage 75 carrying a plurality of adjacent print head ink cartridges 80 a , 80 b , 80 c , and 80 d containing differently colored inks, which may be magenta, yellow, cyan and black, respectfully, for forming a full-color version of image 20 .
- Carriage 75 includes a plurality of holes 77 therethrough and a side opening 79 for reasons provided hereinbelow.
- individual sheets of recorder medium 30 are fed from a supply bin, such as a recorder medium sheet supply tray 90 , by means of a picker mechanism (not shown).
- the picker mechanism picks the individual sheets of recorder medium 30 from tray 90 and feeds the individual sheets of recorder medium 30 onto a guide (also not shown) that is interposed between and aligned with print head 50 and the picker mechanism.
- the guide guides each sheet of recorder medium 30 into alignment with print head 50 .
- a rotatable platen roller 100 Disposed opposite print head 50 is a rotatable platen roller 100 for supporting recorder medium 30 thereon and for transporting recorder medium 30 past print head 50 .
- platen roller 100 transports recorder medium 30 in direction of an arrow 105 .
- Printer 10 also includes a print head maintenance station, generally referred to as 107 , for periodically cleaning print head 50 .
- the printer components mentioned hereinabove are housed in a printer shell or frame 110 that includes a rear wall 115 .
- Frame 110 also includes an integrally connected control panel 120 electrically connected to controller 40 for controlling printer operational characteristics, such as paper size and whether the printer is turned “on” or “off”.
- print head 50 is driven transversely with respect to recorder medium 30 preferably by means of a motorized continuous belt and pulley assembly, generally referred to as 125 .
- the belt and pulley assembly comprises a continuous belt 130 affixed to carriage 75 and a belt motor 140 engaging belt 130 .
- Motor 140 engages belt 130 by means of at least one pulley 150 and is preferably electrically connected to controller 40 , so that controller 40 controls operation of motor 140 .
- belt 130 also rotates.
- carriage 75 traverses recorder medium 30 because carriage 75 is affixed to belt 130 , which extends traversely across recorder medium 30 .
- carriage 75 is itself supported by an elongate, generally cylindrical slide bar 160 that slidably engages and supports carriage 75 as carriage 75 traverses recorder medium 30 .
- Slide bar 130 in turn is supported by frame 110 because opposing ends of slide bar 160 are each affixed to frame 110 .
- controller 40 may be coupled to the previously mentioned picker mechanism, platen roller 100 , and motor 140 , as well as cartridges 80 a/b/c/d .
- Controller 40 is coupled to the picker mechanism, platen roller 100 , and the motor 140 , as well as cartridges 80 a/b/c/d for synchronously controlling operation of the picker mechanism, platen roller 100 , motor 140 , and for selectively activating cartridges 80 a/b/c/d .
- print head 50 comprises the previously mentioned side-by-side ink cartridges 80 a/b/c/d .
- cartridges 80 a/b/c/d comprises a cartridge body 180 defining a chamber 190 therein.
- chamber 190 is capable of receiving an ink body 200 from which image 20 will be formed.
- Formed in cartridge body 180 is at least one ink ejection orifice 210 in communication with chamber 190 and collinearly aligned with a respective one of holes 77 formed through carriage 75 .
- a generally rectangular die 220 horizontally-disposed in chamber 180 is a generally rectangular die 220 .
- Die 220 has an underside surface 230 for reasons disclosed presently.
- attached to underside 230 of die 220 and therefore disposed in chamber 190 is at least one thermal resistive heater element or thin-film resistor 240 aligned with ink ejection orifice 210 .
- Resistor 240 locally boils ink body 200 in the vicinity of orifice 210 .
- Resistor 240 is electrically connected to controller 40 , so that controller 40 controls flow of electrical energy to resistor 240 in response to output signals received from the previously mentioned image input source.
- resistor 240 when electrical energy momentarily flows to resistor 240 , the resistor 240 locally heats ink body 200 causing a vapor bubble (not shown) to form adjacent to resistor 240 .
- the vapor bubble pressurizes chamber 190 by displacing ink body 200 in order to squeeze ink drop 70 from ink body 200 .
- Ink drop 70 travels through orifice 210 and hole 77 to be intercepted by recorder medium 30 .
- controller 40 ceases supplying electrical energy to resistor 240 .
- the vapor bubble will thereafter collapse due to absence of energy input to ink body 200 and ink from ink body 200 will subsequently refill chamber 190 .
- the manufacturer of printer 10 may ship the printer to the printer wholesaler, printer retailer or end user with cartridges 80 a/b/c/d preinstalled in printer 10 . This is done for the convenience of the user of printer 10 . That is, by receiving printer 10 with cartridges 80 a/b/c/d preinstalled, the user need not separately purchase and install cartridges 80 a/b/c/d before beginning operation of printer 10 . However, it is important during transport and storage of printer 10 to temporarily seal ink ejection orifices 210 against ingress of dirt, dust and other particulate matter. It is also important to seal ink ejection orifices 210 against ingress of air to avoid drying-out of the ink.
- printer 10 is capable of automatically removing the protective tape immediately before printer 10 is first used, such that the user need not manually remove the tape.
- a take-up reel generally referred to as 250
- take-up reel 250 is connected to frame 110 for reasons disclosed presently.
- take-up reel 250 comprises a generally cylindrical spool 260 having a centrally disposed bore 265 therethrough.
- Wound about spool 260 is a ribbon of adhesive protective tape 270 having an adhesive side 273 and an outwardly extending portion 275 .
- Portion 275 extends through side opening 79 of carriage 75 and removably adheres to cartridges 80 a/b/c/d for sealably covering orifices 210 .
- portion 275 may instead extend through a bottom opening, a front opening, or a back opening (all not shown) of carriage 75 .
- carriage 75 would be fabricated to include a bottom opening, front opening, or back opening to accommodate portion 275 .
- Protective tape 270 may be any suitable protective tape.
- protective tape 270 may be “V8HP”TM tape available from Nitto Denko Europe, NV located in Genk, Belgium.
- protective tape 270 may be “ELVAX 3190LG”TM tape available from E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company located in Wilmington, Del., U.S.A.
- a first embodiment actuator is connected to frame 110 and engages take-up reel 250 for retracting protective tape 270 after tape 270 is peeled from cartridges 80 a/b/c/d .
- actuator 280 comprises a motor 290 having a generally cylindrical shaft 295 for matingly engaging bore 265 formed through spool 260 .
- Shaft 295 rotates, such as in direction of arrow 297 (see FIG. 2 ).
- spool 260 rotates as shaft 295 rotates.
- Protective tape 270 will be pulled through side opening 79 and wound about spool 260 as spool 260 rotates.
- motor 290 is electrically connected to controller 40 , which is in turn programmed to operate motor 290 when carriage 75 moves the first time during printing, which will occur after printer 10 is shipped from the printer manufacturer.
- Controller 40 is programmed to thereafter not operate motor 290 because motor 290 is only needed to wind protective tape 270 about spool 260 when protective tape 270 is removed from cartridges 80 a/b/c/d .
- Protective tape 270 is removed from cartridges 80 a/b/c/d only when the user operates printer 10 the first time. Therefore, motor 290 only need operate once.
- motor 290 may be selected such that motor 290 has enough power to remove protective tape 270 from cartridges 80 a/b/c/d without translation of carriage 75 along slide bar 160 .
- motor 290 may be selected to exert enough torque on shaft 295 , and therefore spool 260 , to overcome the peel force of protective tape 270 even while carriage 75 remains stationary.
- a second embodiment actuator generally referred to 300 , connected to frame 110 and engaging take-up reel 250 for retracting protective tape 270 after tape 270 is peeled from cartridges 80 a/b/c/d by translation of carriage 75 in direction of arrow 277 .
- An advantage of this second embodiment actuator 300 is that it obviates need for motor 290 .
- the second embodiment actuator 300 also obviates need for programming controller 40 to operate motor 290 only one time.
- Second embodiment actuator 300 comprises a rack 310 connected to carriage 75 .
- Rack 310 includes a plurality of gear teeth 320 therealong for threadably engaging a pinion gear 330 surrounding an axle 340 .
- the axle 340 has an end thereof rotatably connected to rear wall 115 and another end matingly engaging bore 265 of spool 260 .
- rack 310 moves in direction of arrow 277 as carriage 75 translates in direction of arrow 277 because rack 310 is connected to carriage 75 .
- gear teeth 320 will engage pinion gear 330 .
- Axle 340 will rotate, such as in direction of arrow 297 , as gear teeth 320 engage pinion gear 330 .
- spool 260 will rotate in direction of arrow 297 in order to retract tape 270 .
- teeth 320 may be formed so as to present a convex first surface 345 to pinion gear 320 .
- Teeth 320 are also formed so as to have a concave second surface 347 opposite first surface 345 .
- Convex first surface 345 and concave second surface 347 terminate in a ridge or edge 349 .
- edge 349 will engage pinion gear 300 to turn pinion gear 330 so that spool 260 rotates in direction of arrow 297 .
- tape 270 will wind about spool 260 , so that there is no subsequent interference of tape 270 with carriage 75 during operation of printer 10 .
- convex first surface 345 will merely slide-over and not engage pinion gear 330 . Therefore, pinion gear 330 will not rotate in a direction opposite arrow 297 .
- a third embodiment actuator generally referred to as 350 , connected to frame 110 and engaging take-up reel 250 for retracting protective tape 270 after tape 270 is peeled from cartridges 80 a/b/c/d by translation of carriage 75 in direction of arrow 277 .
- An advantage of this third embodiment actuator 350 is that it obviates need for motor 290 that belongs to the first embodiment actuator 280 .
- This third embodiment actuator also obviates need for rack 310 and pinion gear 330 belonging to the second embodiment actuator 300 . Rather, this third embodiment actuator 350 relies on a biasing member, such as coiled spring 360 , for rotating spool 260 .
- spring 360 has a portion thereof affixed to a spindle 370 rotatably connected to frame 110 . Another end of spring 360 abuts an outwardly projecting post 380 that is attached to frame 110 .
- protective tape 270 is peeled from cartridges 80 a/b/c/d to uncover orifices 210 . It may be appreciated that while protective tape 270 adheres to cartridges 80 a/b/c/d , the peel force is greater than the torque acting on spool 260 due to the predetermined relatively weak spring constant of spring 360 . Thus, spool 260 cannot rotate while tape 270 adheres to cartridges 80 a/b/c/d .
- FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 there is shown a fourth embodiment actuator 385 in combination with an optical sensor 390 for retracting protective tape 270 and for sensing when protective tape 270 is retracted.
- optical sensor 390 emits an optical beam therefrom in direction of protective tape 270 when printer 10 is connected to a suitable power supply (not shown).
- Protective tape 270 defines a generally U-shaped configuration and has an elastomer or elastic portion 400 connected to spool 260 and an end portion 410 anchored to an inner wall of frame 110 , such as by means of a fastener or clamp 420 .
- the previously mentioned adhesive side 273 of protective tape 270 adhesively adheres to an underside of carriage 75 for sealably covering holes 77 in carnage 75 .
- reflective tape tab 430 obstructs the previously mentioned optical beam emitted by optical sensor 390 and reflects the light beam back to optical sensor 390 .
- elastic portion 400 is in an extended state and exerts a retractive pull force on protective tape 270 .
- the pull force exerted by elastic portion 400 is insufficient to overcome the lap shear force of the adhesive present on adhesive side 273 of protective tap 270 . Therefore, protective tape 270 will not shear from carriage 75 before printer 10 is used the first time by the end user.
- optical sensor 390 transmits an electrical signal to control panel 120 to visually inform the end user that protective tape 270 is presently covering holes 77 and orifices 210 .
- optical sensor 390 may transmit an electrical signal to an enunciator (not shown) to audibly inform the end user that protective tape 270 covers holes 77 and orifices 210 .
- printer 10 when printer 10 is used the first time for priming by the end user, carriage 75 will move in direction of arrow 277 and adhesive side 273 will begin peeling from the underside surface of carriage 75 in order to begin uncovering holes 77 and thus orifices 210 .
- an advantage of the present invention is that the protective tape is removed from the ink cartridges to expose the ink ejection orifices without manual intervention of the user prior to first use of the printer. As mentioned hereinabove, this reduces customer dissatisfaction and reduces customer complaints. Reduction in customer complaints reduces the manufacturer's cost of goods sold because the manufacturer of the printer need not dedicate personnel resources, such as service technicians, to address customer complaints. Moreover, decrease in the manufacturer's cost of goods sold may ultimately decrease the market price of the printer. Of course, decreasing the market price of the printer benefits customers.
- inkjet printer 10 need not be a thermal inkjet printer. That is, inkjet printer 10 may be a piezoelectric inkjet printer having piezoelectric inkjet cartridges.
- inkjet printer 10 may be a piezoelectric inkjet printer having piezoelectric inkjet cartridges.
- the description hereinabove is directed to inkjet printers having the print head and ink cartridges combined as one installable unit, the inventive concept disclosed herein will work equally well with printers having separately mounted ink supply and print head.
Abstract
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US10/233,194 US6769761B2 (en) | 2002-08-29 | 2002-08-29 | Inkjet printer having ink cartridge tape removal capability and method of assembling the printer |
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JP2007214676A (en) * | 2006-02-07 | 2007-08-23 | Canon Inc | Image forming apparatus |
US7710236B2 (en) * | 2006-08-01 | 2010-05-04 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Fuse systems with serviceable connections |
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